Presidential race 2016

By Juana Summers The Associated Press Mon., Jan. 21, 2019 WASHINGTON—Kamala Harris, a first-term senator and former California attorney general known for her rigorous questioning of U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominees, entered the Democratic presidential race on Monday. Vowing to “bring our voices together,” Harris would be the first woman to hold the presidency and the second African-American if she succeeds. Harris, who grew up in Oakland, California, and is a daughter of parents from Jamaica and India, is one of the earliest high-profile Democrats to join what is expected to be a crowded field. She made her long anticipated announcement on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “I am running for president of the United States,” she said. “And I’m very excited about it.” The 54-year old portrayed herself as a fighter for justice, decency and equality in a video distributed by her campaign as she … [Read more...] about Kamala Harris jumps into presidential race

World A former warlord accused of historic war crimes entered Afghanistan's presidential race on Saturday in a new challenge to President Ashraf Ghani who allowed him to return from exile two decades he was forced out by the Taliban. 19 Jan 2019 08:20PM Bookmark KABUL: A former warlord accused of historic war crimes entered Afghanistan's presidential race on Saturday in a new challenge to President Ashraf Ghani who allowed him to return from exile two decades he was forced out by the Taliban.Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, whose fighters killed thousands in Kabul during the bloody civil war of the 1990s, has remained a divisive figure since his return from exile in 2016.His decision to contest the presidential polls in July is seen by analysts as the ex-warlord's attempt legitimise his Hizb-i-Islami party. The faction has been blamed for atrocities committed during Afghanistan's brutal civil war, which led many Afghans to welcome the emergence of the Taliban in 1996 in the hope the … [Read more...] about Former Afghan warlord Hekmatyar enters presidential race

BRASILIA: Brazilians will vote on Sunday in a polarised presidential race that could result in the election of a far-right former Army captain, whose praise of past dictatorships enrages critics but whose promise of a brutal crackdown on crime and corruption has electrified his supporters.Front-runner Jair Bolsonaro, who some call a tropical Trump, has surged in opinion polls in the past week.He is riding a wave of anger at the establishment after the uncovering of one of the world's largest political graft schemes, opposition to a return to power by the leftist Workers Party (PT) blamed for much of that corruption, and fears about spiking crime in the country with more murders than any other.But Brazil is split over what cost to its democracy it may pay if it chooses Bolsonaro, a long-time congressman who has repeatedly praised the 1964-85 military regime but now vows to stick strongly to democratic ideals, a conversion many question.Bolsonaro's closest rival is PT candidate Fernando … [Read more...] about Brazilians vote in tense presidential race led by right-winger

Brazil’s imprisoned Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been banned from running for president in October after months of commotion that had tainted what is already the most unpredictable election in decades. In a 6-1 ruling, the country’s top electoral court decided that Lula’s candidacy cannot stand, given his 12-year sentence for corruption and money-laundering by an appeals court earlier this year. Brazil’s currency and equity markets gained in anticipation of the decision as investors wary of a possible Lula comeback gained hope. In a note published after the ruling, the Workers’ Party said it would appeal."I declare the candidate ineligible and I deny his application to run for the presidency," said Luis Roberto Barroso, the lead judge reading out a summary of the ruling at the court. "I veto electoral propaganda until the candidate’s name is replaced on the ballot." Since his indictment over two years ago, the still popular Lula has denounced a … [Read more...] about Lula banned from Brazil presidential race

BRASILIA: Angry leftist protests outside his businesses will not deter billionaire Flavio Rocha from running in Brazil's presidential election this year, advocating a crackdown on crime, a much smaller state and conservative family values."A majority of Brazilians are demanding law and order, and the recovery of social values," said Rocha in an interview.He is stepping away from the helm of clothing maker Guararapes Confecções SA and fashion retail unit Lojas Riachuelo, which are controlled by his family, to join the presidential race with the backing of an established party and powerful evangelical church.Rocha bolsters a crop of conservative presidential candidates in the 2018 race calling for privatisations and government austerity in what would be a hard right turn for Brazilian politics after leftist presidents won four straight elections."Brazilian voters are no longer waiting for handouts from the state. They want a more efficient state that hands out less privileges," … [Read more...] about Brazil retail magnate Rocha defies left in presidential race